Career Center

Summary

The Mammography Technologist performs all duties in the Mammography section - including performance of screening mammograms - diagnostic mammograms - and assisting with interventional breast procedures. Technologist operates independently and without direct supervision in the performance and coo of mammography exams. The purpose of these exams is to obtain diagnostic studies so that proper diagnosis and treatment may be achieved.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Certification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Radiography (ARRT) (R)
• Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT) - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - or Mammography (M) duties performed independently - as applicable
• Advanced certification indicates that the incumbent can operate independently and has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examination
• In modalities that require advanced certification - to support their continued development - technologists who do not possess an advanced certification may be provided on the job training with oversight from a certified radiologic technologist
• Education: Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program - evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree - accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE)
• NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description
• Credentialing Standards: Public Law 97-35 - the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981 - requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75 - Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel
• Essentially - they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field
• Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: GS-09 In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-8) level - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently
• DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level - clinical instruction - and basic QM type duties within the program
• Assignments: For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - and range of variety - and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Mammography (M)
• The complex nature of breast disease involves multiple imaging modalities
• This specialty involves the specific knowledge and abilities to perform complex imaging of the breast
• Mammographers must be able to employ specialized mammographic image techniques such as magnification views and implant views of the breast
• The mammographer is required to be completely familiar with - and adhere to - all U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines regulating the practice of mammography - radiation safety - and quality assurance requirements
• Mammographers are subject to the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992 (MQSA) and regulated by the FDA
• DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (M) certification
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): i
• *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
• ii
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers
• iii
• *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure
• iv
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
• v
• Knowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
• vi
• Knowledge of pre-procedural - procedural - and post-procedural care of patients
• Preferred Experience: 1 year experience in Diagnostic - Screening Mammography - as well as Biopsy experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09
• Physical Requirements: Position requires moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds
• light carrying - under 15 pounds
• bending - stooping - and standing up to 6 hours a day
• Requires long periods of standing - walking - and sitting Involves constant bending - lifting - twisting - and carrying moderately heavy items such as cassettes
• The use MRI scanners requires twisting - turning and repeated bending - lifting of coils - moderate carrying - reaching above shoulder - and ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Maintains effective control of the mammography section by coordinating - planning - organizing - and executing the work potential to expedite workflow patterns within the department
• Performs screening and diagnostic mammograms
• Assists the radiologist in the performance of interventional procedures - including needle localization - breast biopsy and cyst aspiration
• Performs Quality Control procedures - which may include (but not exclusively) the following: grid alignment and artifacts
• mammography equipment phantom and reproducibility
• automatic exposure control density and field sensitivity
• integrity tests
• view box consistency and uniformity
• compression test
• Responsible for creating - implementing - collecting - critiquing - and preparing all mammography documents/ reports for up-to-date data to ensure that the ACR - FDA and VA mandates are always within the prescribed standards
• Recognizes breast anatomy and pathology and adjusts as necessary to ensure that proper identification of breast anatomy is well visualized in order to achieve optimal diagnosis by the radiologist
• Ensures that the examination rooms and work rooms are kept clean and neat in appearance
• Develops and presents management briefing reports specific to the operation of the mammography section
• Provides reports of accomplishments - proposals for improved effectiveness and state of equipment
• Maximizes efficiency in the number of exposures performed without compromising quality standards
• Troubleshoots equipment used in mammography by monitoring the daily - weekly - and quarterly QC procedures - and makes suggestions about needed repairs and/or adjustments
• Manages all aspects of the mammography file room
• Responsible for explaining exams to patients in terms the patient will comprehend as well as recognize potential hazards
• Receives and interprets all mammography radiology requests
• Maintains diagnostic radiographer skills - i.e. - fluoroscopy - portables - and diagnostic x-ray
• Technologist may be required to assist in diagnostic area when not busy in Mammography
• Work Schedule: Full Time - Monday- Friday - 7:00am- 3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized